EP3659921B1 - Vehicle and method of cooling a compartment of said vehicle - Google Patents
Vehicle and method of cooling a compartment of said vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3659921B1 EP3659921B1 EP18209443.3A EP18209443A EP3659921B1 EP 3659921 B1 EP3659921 B1 EP 3659921B1 EP 18209443 A EP18209443 A EP 18209443A EP 3659921 B1 EP3659921 B1 EP 3659921B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- circuit
- coolant
- water
- heat exchanger
- supply means
- Prior art date
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- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 title claims description 42
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 23
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 56
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 claims description 50
- 239000012071 phase Substances 0.000 claims description 33
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims description 20
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 claims description 15
- 239000007791 liquid phase Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 87
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 24
- 238000004378 air conditioning Methods 0.000 description 21
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 15
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 description 13
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000009466 transformation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000000844 transformation Methods 0.000 description 3
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008929 regeneration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000011069 regeneration method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001050 lubricating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008400 supply water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009834 vaporization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008016 vaporization Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D13/00—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
- B64D13/06—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
- B64D13/08—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned the air being heated or cooled
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D13/00—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
- B64D13/06—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
- B64D2013/0603—Environmental Control Systems
- B64D2013/0674—Environmental Control Systems comprising liquid subsystems
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D13/00—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft
- B64D13/06—Arrangements or adaptations of air-treatment apparatus for aircraft crew or passengers, or freight space, or structural parts of the aircraft the air being conditioned
- B64D2013/0603—Environmental Control Systems
- B64D2013/0688—Environmental Control Systems with means for recirculating cabin air
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T50/00—Aeronautics or air transport
- Y02T50/40—Weight reduction
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T50/00—Aeronautics or air transport
- Y02T50/50—On board measures aiming to increase energy efficiency
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a vehicle and a method of cooling a compartment of said vehicle.
- vehicle means an aerial, naval or railway vehicle, and, more generally, any moving object with a compartment inside which it is necessary to maintain a certain temperature range, with respect to variable external temperature levels or heat generated due to operation of the compartment.
- compartment means an environment to be cooled that contains air, such as a cabin or a passenger compartment, or a functional unit, such as, for example, a gear train.
- the present invention relates to an aerial vehicle and to an associated cooling method.
- the aerial vehicle is, in particular, an aeroplane, a convertiplane or a gyrodyne.
- Aircrafts comprise, in a known manner, an air conditioning system, which is adapted to extract or introduce heat in the passenger compartment or cabin so as to maintain a desired temperature level inside the passenger compartment or cabin, with respect to environmental temperatures outside the aircraft variable, for example, between -30°C and 50°C.
- This extraction or introduction of heat takes place through feeding "cold” air or "hot” air, respectively, inside the cabin or passenger compartment at respective temperatures lower or higher than that existing in the cabin or passenger compartment.
- the air conditioning system draws air from the outside and compresses it, thereby increasing the temperature and producing hot air to be sent to the cabin.
- the hot air to be sent to the cabin is, for example, bled from the compressor stages normally present in the aircraft's power units.
- the air conditioning system also produces cold air to be sent to the cabin or passenger compartment through a cycle known as the "air” cycle, as it is the same air that undergoes the thermodynamic transformations necessary to bring it to the desired conditions of low temperature and correct pressure. From the thermodynamic standpoint, this "air” cycle is the equivalent of a reverse Joule cycle.
- the air conditioning system produces "cold” air to be sent to the cabin through a vapour compression refrigeration cycle, also known as a “vapour cycle", in which a coolant other than air undergoes the thermodynamic transformations.
- a coolant for example R134a
- the air conditioning system comprises:
- the first circuit comprises, in sequence:
- the coolant absorbs heat from the outside, inside the evaporator, and releases heat to the outside, inside the condenser.
- the second circuit comprises an inlet and an outlet fluidically connected to the cabin and a fan to create air circulation from the inlet to the outlet.
- the evaporator is interposed along the second circuit in a position interposed between the inlet and the outlet.
- the evaporator removes heat from the hot air coming from the inlet of the second circuit. Consequently, cooled air reaches the outlet of the second circuit and the aircraft's cabin.
- the efficiency of the vapour compression cycle also known as the coefficient of Performance, is higher the more heat is released by the condenser, and lesser the more heat is absorbed by the evaporator.
- the heat absorbed by the evaporator is determined by the need to cool the air to be sent to the cabin and therefore constitutes a design constraint.
- the efficiency of the vapour compression cycle is generally raised by increasing the exchange surface and, consequently, the size and weight of the condenser.
- US 4,895,004 describes an air conditioning system for residential applications and using a vapour compression cycle.
- US 4,895,004 describes the use of a first finned condenser for air-cooling the coolant and a second tubular condenser for water-cooling the coolant.
- US 5,419,147 describes an air conditioning system for residential applications and using a vapour compression cycle.
- US 6,463,751 describes an air conditioning system for residential applications and using a vapour compression cycle.
- US 6,463,751 teaches improving the efficiency of the air conditioning system by condensing the condensate water produced by the evaporator directly on the condenser.
- the condensate water is supplied to the condenser via an upper panel that covers the condenser and is provided with a passage for the air and a plurality of drainage holes to allow the condensate water produced by the evaporator to drip down.
- This solution does not guarantee continuity in the feeding of condensate water from the evaporator to the condenser, as the amount of available condensate water is limited.
- Convertiplanes and more generally moving vehicles, further comprise functional units, for example gear trains that generate heat during operation and need to be cooled.
- these functional units are cooled by means of a fluid-based cooling system, in particular an oilbased cooling system.
- This cooling system basically comprises:
- WO-A-2012/022758 discloses an air-conditioning system for an aircraft.
- the air-conditioning system comprises a compressed air branch for conveying externally supplied and pressurized air, preferably bleed air. Furthermore, a cooling circuit for conveying preferably liquid refrigerant is provided and extends through a ram air duct.
- the system also comprises a first heat exchanger for the heat transfer between the compressed air branch and the cooling circuit, a compressed air turbine that is arranged in the compressed air branch and a cooling circuit compressor that is arranged in the cooling circuit and mechanically coupled to the compressed air turbine.
- US-A-2017/152050 discloses an aircraft air conditioning system with an ambient air supply line adapted to be flown through with ambient air, an ambient air cooling apparatus, which is connected to the ambient air supply line and is configured to cool the ambient air flowing through the ambient air supply line, an ambient air discharge line, which is connected to the ambient air cooling apparatus and is connectable to an aircraft cabin, in order to conduct ambient air cooled by the ambient air cooling apparatus into the aircraft cabin, a process air supply line adapted to be flown through with compressed process air, a process air cooling apparatus, which is connected to the process air supply line and is configured to cool the compressed process air flowing through the process air supply line, a process air discharge line, which is connected to the process air cooling apparatus and is connectable to the aircraft cabin, in order to conduct process air cooled by the process air cooling apparatus into the aircraft cabin, and a refrigerating apparatus, which comprises a refrigerant circuit adapted to be flown through with a refrigerant and being thermally coupled to the ambient air cooling apparatus and to the process air cooling apparatus, in order
- EP-A-1279594 discloses an air cycle cooling system for cooling a first heat load and a second heat load, includes a compressor to pressurise air in the system, and an expansion apparatus for allowing the compressed air to expand and cool for use in cooling the first and second heat loads, and wherein at least a proportion of the air utilised for cooling the first heat load is recycled to the compressor and at least a proportion of the air utilised for cooling the second heat load is utilised as a coolant in a primary heat exchanger to cool the air from the first heat load prior to the air from the first heat load being expanded in the expansion apparatus.
- WO-A-2016/170141 discloses an aircraft air conditioning system with an ambient air line which is adapted to be flown through with ambient air and which is connected to a mixer of the aircraft air conditioning system, in order to feed ambient air into the mixer, at least one ambient air compressor arranged in the ambient air line for compressing the ambient air flowing through the ambient air line, a refrigerating machine, which comprises a refrigerant circuit adapted to be flown through with a refrigerant as well as a refrigerant compressor arranged in the refrigerant circuit, wherein the refrigerant circuit is thermally coupled to the ambient air line in order to transfer heat from the ambient air flowing through the ambient air line to the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit before the ambient air is fed into the mixer, and at least one electric motor for driving the at least one ambient air compressor and/or the refrigerant compressor.
- US-A-4015438 discloses an air cycle air conditioning system for vehicles, wherein the air at substantially ambient pressure is cooled in a heat exchanger and introduced into an enclosure for cooling. The air is withdrawn from the enclosure and a portion of the air is expanded through a turbine for additional cooling and passed through the heat exchanger for the removal of heat therefrom. The air is then compressed to substantially ambient pressure and expelled. Additional cooling of the expanded air from the turbine may be obtained by evaporating a fluid therein. The fluid may be water condensed in, and withdrawn from, the heat exchanger.
- the object of the present invention is to produce an aerial, land or marine vehicle that satisfies at least one of the aforementioned needs in a simple and inexpensive manner.
- the aforesaid object is achieved by the present invention, in so far as it relates to an aerial, land or marine vehicle, according to claim 1.
- the present invention also relates to a method of cooling a compartment of an aerial, land or marine vehicle, according to claim 7.
- reference numeral 1 indicates a vehicle.
- vehicle means any self-propelled vehicle, in particular a land, aerial or marine vehicle.
- the vehicle 1 is a pressurized aircraft, a convertiplane in the case shown.
- the convertiplane 1 basically comprises:
- the convertiplane 1 further comprises a compartment 6 defining a cabin for a crew and/or a passenger compartment for passengers.
- the convertiplane 1 further comprises an air conditioning system 10 (only schematically shown), which is adapted to adjust the temperature inside the compartment 6, i.e. to maintain said temperature within a given range.
- an air conditioning system 10 (only schematically shown), which is adapted to adjust the temperature inside the compartment 6, i.e. to maintain said temperature within a given range.
- system 10 comprises:
- unit 11 is shown only as a duct 15 supplying hot air to the compartment 6.
- unit 12 could have some elements shared with or thermally coupled to unit 11.
- unit 12 is described hereinafter without reference to any mechanical or thermal coupling to unit 11.
- Unit 12 comprises ( Figure 2 ):
- the coolant performs a thermodynamic cycle, known as a vapour compression cycle, inside circuit 20.
- the coolant is one of the fluids commonly known as Freon, for example R134a, R1234YE or R1234YF, or carbon dioxide.
- Circuit 20 comprises, in sequence:
- the coolant absorbs heat from the outside, inside the evaporator 24, and releases heat to the outside, inside condenser 22.
- Circuit 50 in turn, comprises:
- Circuit 50 is thermally coupled to the evaporator 24 in a position interposed between the inlet 51 and the outlet 52.
- the air flowing in circuit 50 releases heat to the evaporator 24.
- the air flowing in circuit 50 cools down, having a temperature at the outlet 52 lower than the temperature at the inlet 51.
- Unit 12 comprises ( Figure 2 ):
- the water supplied in circuit 60 evaporates, removing heat from the air flowing in circuit 60 upstream of the condenser 22.
- the airflow is thus cooled and humidified.
- the lowering of the temperature of the airflow that laps the condenser 22 lowers the temperature and the condensation pressure of the coolant. This enables increasing the amount of heat absorbed by the condenser 22, and hence the efficiency of the vapour compression cycle.
- the high speed of the air induces a continuous regeneration of the fluid film on the surface of the condenser 22, preventing the film from reaching thermal equilibrium with said surface and causing a further increase in the amount of heat absorbed by the condenser 22.
- Unit 12 also comprises a fan 62 interposed along circuit 60 and adapted to enable continuous air circulation inside circuit 60.
- unit 12 further comprises a circuit 70 provided to feed the water to the supply means 61.
- circuit 70 comprises a tank 71 arranged on board the convertiplane 1 and fluidically connected to the supply means 61.
- Circuit 70 is also fluidically connectable to a tank 72 outside the convertiplane 1 and arranged on the ground. Obviously, circuit 70 is fluidically connected to tank 72 only when the convertiplane 1 is on the ground.
- circuit 70 is fluidically connected to a collection drum 73 ( Figure 5 ) for the condensate water generated by the evaporator 24.
- circuit 70 is simultaneously connected to one or both of the tanks 71 and 72 and to the collection drum 73.
- the supply means 61 comprise a plurality of injectors 75, fed by circuit 70 and facing into circuit 60 upstream of said condenser 22, according to said feed direction, so as to eject jets of water into the airflow flowing in circuit 60.
- the supply means 61 comprise a plurality of sprayers 76, fed by circuit 70 and facing into circuit 60 upstream of said condenser 22, according to said feed direction, so as to eject water spray into the airflow flowing in circuit 60.
- the supply means 61 comprise a plurality of gravity drippers 77, fed by circuit 70 and facing into circuit 60 upstream of said condenser 22, according to the aforementioned feed direction, so as to eject respective sequences of droplets into the airflow flowing in circuit 60.
- Circuit 60 further comprises a membrane 78 arranged upstream of the condenser 22 and lapped by the airflow, and on which the sprayers 76 or drippers 77 respectively eject water spray or eject respective sequences of water droplets ( Figure 4 ).
- the membrane 78 is humidified by the water injected into circuit 70, thus ensuring that water can evaporate inside circuit 70 upstream of the condenser 22.
- Circuit 70 further comprises a pump 74 adapted to feed water to the supply means 61 ( Figure 5 ).
- the control unit 13 is programmed to selectively:
- the external environmental temperature is normally dependent on the latitude and altitude of the convertiplane 1.
- the system 10 adjusts the temperature inside the compartment 6 by supplying "hot” air or “cold” air, according to the environmental conditions outside the convertiplane.
- hot air and cold air respectively mean air at a temperature greater than or less than the temperature of the compartment 6.
- the fan 53 of circuit 50 creates the continuous circulation of air from the inlet 51 to the outlet 52, passing through the evaporator 24 of circuit 20 and the compartment 6 of the convertiplane.
- the coolant follows a vapour compression cycle inside circuit 20, during which it undergoes the following thermodynamic transformations:
- the coolant releases heat in the condenser 22 and absorbs heat from the air circulating in circuit 50 in the evaporator 24.
- Circuit 20 causes air circulation through the condenser 22.
- the control unit 13 activates the supply means 61.
- the supply means 61 supply water inside the airflow flowing in circuit 60 upstream of the condenser 22 and in a position spaced from the condenser 22.
- Circuit 60 feeds the supply means 61 with water through the tank 71 on board the convertiplane 1 when the latter is in flight, or through tank 72, positioned on the ground, when the convertiplane 1 is on the ground. It is also possible to feed the supply means 61 through both tank 71 and tank 72 when the convertiplane 1 is on the ground.
- Circuit 60 also feeds the supply means 61 with condensate water collected from the evaporator 24 of circuit 20. It is important to stress that feeding the supply means 61 with the condensate water collected from the evaporator 24 is in addition to and does not replace feeding with the water contained in tanks 70 and/or 71.
- the injectors 75 of the supply means 61 eject jets of water inside the airflow flowing in circuit 60.
- the sprayers 76 of the supply means 61 eject water spray on the membrane 78 through which the airflow flowing in the circuit 60 passes.
- the drippers 77 of the supply means 61 drip respective sequences of droplets by gravity onto the membrane 78 through which the airflow flowing in circuit 60 passes.
- the control unit 13 deactivates the supply means 61. From an examination of the characteristics of the aircraft 1 and the cooling method of the aircraft 1 produced according to the present invention, the advantages that can be attained therewith are evident.
- the convertiplane 1 comprises:
- the water evaporates, removing an amount of heat substantially corresponding to the latent heat of vaporization and the airflow flowing in circuit 60 cools down. This lowering of temperature reduces the temperature and the condensation pressure of the condenser 22.
- the heat exchange surface of the condenser 22 installed on the convertiplane 1 is normally much smaller than that of condensers used in the domestic air conditioners illustrated in US 5,149,147 and US 6,643,751 .
- This smaller surface would reduce the amount of heat exchanged in the condenser 22 and must be compensated by a high airflow speed in circuit 60 in order to increase the coefficient of heat exchange between the airflow and the condenser 22.
- the supply of water inside circuit 60 and upstream of the condenser 22 enables reducing the condensation temperature of the coolant in the condenser 22 and, therefore, increasing the energy efficiency of the cycle followed by said coolant, reducing the bulk and weight of the condenser 22.
- this increase in efficiency also enables maintaining the desired temperature level in compartment, even when the outside temperature is particularly high, in the event of temperature peaks and in flight envelope extremes.
- the tank 71 arranged on board the convertiplane 1 enables feeding the supply means 61 with water when the convertiplane 1 is in flight. Contrariwise, tank 72 enables feeding the supply means 61 with water when the convertiplane 1 is on the ground and the outside temperature is particularly high.
- the condensate water collected from the evaporator 24 constitutes an additional feed source for the supply means 61.
- the control unit 13 activates the supply means 61 when the temperature outside the convertiplane 1 is below the threshold value, for example, because the convertiplane 1 is above a certain altitude threshold.
- control unit 13 deactivates the supply means 61 when the outside temperature is higher than the threshold value, for example, because the convertiplane 1 is below a certain altitude threshold.
- the water droplets that remain in the liquid phase in the airflow lap the condenser 22. This causes a further increase in coefficient of heat exchange between the condenser 22 and the airflow, a further increase in the amount of heat absorbed by the condenser 22 and a further increase in the efficiency of the vapour compression cycle.
- the high speed of the air induces continuous regeneration of the fluid film on the surface of the condenser 22, preventing the film from reaching thermal equilibrium with said surface and causing a further increase in the amount of heat absorbed by the condenser 22.
- the membrane 78 by being humidified, further improves the heat exchange between the airflow of circuit 60 and the condenser 22.
- circuit 60 and the supply means 61 can be easily retrofitted on a convertiplane 1 without requiring a substantial redesign of the system 10.
- the aircraft could also be an aeroplane or a gyrodyne.
Description
- The present invention relates to a vehicle and a method of cooling a compartment of said vehicle.
- In this description, the term vehicle means an aerial, naval or railway vehicle, and, more generally, any moving object with a compartment inside which it is necessary to maintain a certain temperature range, with respect to variable external temperature levels or heat generated due to operation of the compartment.
- In this description, the term compartment means an environment to be cooled that contains air, such as a cabin or a passenger compartment, or a functional unit, such as, for example, a gear train.
- More specifically, the present invention relates to an aerial vehicle and to an associated cooling method.
- The aerial vehicle is, in particular, an aeroplane, a convertiplane or a gyrodyne.
- Aircrafts comprise, in a known manner, an air conditioning system, which is adapted to extract or introduce heat in the passenger compartment or cabin so as to maintain a desired temperature level inside the passenger compartment or cabin, with respect to environmental temperatures outside the aircraft variable, for example, between -30°C and 50°C.
- This extraction or introduction of heat takes place through feeding "cold" air or "hot" air, respectively, inside the cabin or passenger compartment at respective temperatures lower or higher than that existing in the cabin or passenger compartment.
- Essentially, according to a known solution, the air conditioning system draws air from the outside and compresses it, thereby increasing the temperature and producing hot air to be sent to the cabin. The hot air to be sent to the cabin is, for example, bled from the compressor stages normally present in the aircraft's power units.
- In a known manner, the air conditioning system also produces cold air to be sent to the cabin or passenger compartment through a cycle known as the "air" cycle, as it is the same air that undergoes the thermodynamic transformations necessary to bring it to the desired conditions of low temperature and correct pressure. From the thermodynamic standpoint, this "air" cycle is the equivalent of a reverse Joule cycle.
-
US 4,018,060 ,US 4,493,195 andUS 2001/004837 describe the use of an "air" cycle for cooling the cabin air of an aircraft. - Alternatively, the air conditioning system produces "cold" air to be sent to the cabin through a vapour compression refrigeration cycle, also known as a "vapour cycle", in which a coolant other than air undergoes the thermodynamic transformations. In particular, the coolant, for example R134a, undergoes a liquid-vapour phase change during the vapour compression cycle and must, therefore, be able to evaporate at low temperatures of around a few tens of degrees below 0°C and at pressures higher than atmospheric pressure, and to condense at temperatures of around 50-115°C at pressures that are not too high.
- In cases where a vapour compression cycle is used, the air conditioning system comprises:
- a first closed circuit, through which a coolant passes and along which the vapour compression cycle is performed; and
- a second circuit, fluidically connected to the cabin and through which air recirculates from and to the cabin.
- In greater detail, the first circuit comprises, in sequence:
- a compressor, which compresses the coolant in the vapour phase;
- a condenser, which causes the transition of the coolant from the vapour phase to the liquid phase;
- a thermal expansion valve, which causes the transition of the coolant to a two-phase condition formed by a vapour-liquid mixture; and
- an evaporator, which causes the transition of the coolant from the two-phase condition to a vapour phase.
- In particular, the coolant absorbs heat from the outside, inside the evaporator, and releases heat to the outside, inside the condenser.
- The second circuit comprises an inlet and an outlet fluidically connected to the cabin and a fan to create air circulation from the inlet to the outlet.
- The evaporator is interposed along the second circuit in a position interposed between the inlet and the outlet.
- In this way the evaporator removes heat from the hot air coming from the inlet of the second circuit. Consequently, cooled air reaches the outlet of the second circuit and the aircraft's cabin.
- The efficiency of the vapour compression cycle, also known as the coefficient of Performance, is higher the more heat is released by the condenser, and lesser the more heat is absorbed by the evaporator.
- The heat absorbed by the evaporator is determined by the need to cool the air to be sent to the cabin and therefore constitutes a design constraint.
- Therefore, the efficiency of the vapour compression cycle is generally raised by increasing the exchange surface and, consequently, the size and weight of the condenser.
- However, these weight increases make these improvement techniques not very adapted for moving vehicles and even less suitable for aerial vehicles, for which any increase in weight results in a reduction in payload.
- There is awareness in the industry of the need to raise the efficiency of the vapour compression cycle without increasing the overall surface of the condenser, so as not to increase the bulk and weight of the air conditioning system.
- It is important to note that the certification requirements of convertiplanes require that predetermined temperature levels are maintained in the cabin with respect to variable external temperatures ranging between -55°C and +55°C outside the convertiplane.
- There is awareness in the industry of the need to ensure these predetermined temperature levels are maintained by optimizing the weight, bulk and consumption of the cooling system.
- There is also awareness in the industry of the need to optimize the functioning of the aircraft's cooling system according to the temperature outside the aircraft, which is highly variable with latitude and the operating altitude of the aircraft.
-
US 4,895,004 describes an air conditioning system for residential applications and using a vapour compression cycle. In particular,US 4,895,004 describes the use of a first finned condenser for air-cooling the coolant and a second tubular condenser for water-cooling the coolant. -
US 5,419,147 describes an air conditioning system for residential applications and using a vapour compression cycle. In particular, teaches reducing the temperature of condensation in the condenser by applying an amount of water directly on the condenser so as to saturate and cool the air lapping the condenser. -
US 6,463,751 describes an air conditioning system for residential applications and using a vapour compression cycle. In particular,US 6,463,751 teaches improving the efficiency of the air conditioning system by condensing the condensate water produced by the evaporator directly on the condenser. In particular, the condensate water is supplied to the condenser via an upper panel that covers the condenser and is provided with a passage for the air and a plurality of drainage holes to allow the condensate water produced by the evaporator to drip down. This solution does not guarantee continuity in the feeding of condensate water from the evaporator to the condenser, as the amount of available condensate water is limited. - The solutions shown in
US 5,419,147 andUS 6,463,751 are based on the supply of water directly on the condenser. This limits temperature reduction of the outer surface of the condenser and, consequently, the efficiency increase of the air conditioning system. - Convertiplanes, and more generally moving vehicles, further comprise functional units, for example gear trains that generate heat during operation and need to be cooled.
- According to a known solution, these functional units are cooled by means of a fluid-based cooling system, in particular an oilbased cooling system.
- This preferably happens if it is inappropriate to create air circulation through the compartment.
- This cooling system basically comprises:
- a heat exchanger adapted to cool the hot fluid;
- a first fluid supply line, which extends between the compartment and the heat exchanger and is adapted to convey the hot fluid from the compartment to the heat exchanger; and
- a second fluid return line, which extends between the heat exchanger and the compartment and is adapted to convey the cooled fluid from the heat exchanger to the compartment.
- In the case of a fluid-based cooling system, there is also awareness in the industry of the need to increase, in the simplest manner possible, the amount of heat transferred in heat exchanger, in order to increase as far as possible the amount of heat removed from the lubricating fluid inside the heat exchanger and, therefore, the temperature of the fluid in the return line and the capacity of the fluid to remove heat from the compartment.
- Finally, there is awareness in the industry of the need to further increase the efficiency of the cooling systems described in the aforementioned known solutions, while interfering with the aircraft as little as possible, i.e. by means of a solution that can be easily retrofitted to the aircraft.
-
WO-A-2012/022758 discloses an air-conditioning system for an aircraft. The air-conditioning system comprises a compressed air branch for conveying externally supplied and pressurized air, preferably bleed air. Furthermore, a cooling circuit for conveying preferably liquid refrigerant is provided and extends through a ram air duct. The system also comprises a first heat exchanger for the heat transfer between the compressed air branch and the cooling circuit, a compressed air turbine that is arranged in the compressed air branch and a cooling circuit compressor that is arranged in the cooling circuit and mechanically coupled to the compressed air turbine. -
US-A-2017/152050 discloses an aircraft air conditioning system with an ambient air supply line adapted to be flown through with ambient air, an ambient air cooling apparatus, which is connected to the ambient air supply line and is configured to cool the ambient air flowing through the ambient air supply line, an ambient air discharge line, which is connected to the ambient air cooling apparatus and is connectable to an aircraft cabin, in order to conduct ambient air cooled by the ambient air cooling apparatus into the aircraft cabin, a process air supply line adapted to be flown through with compressed process air, a process air cooling apparatus, which is connected to the process air supply line and is configured to cool the compressed process air flowing through the process air supply line, a process air discharge line, which is connected to the process air cooling apparatus and is connectable to the aircraft cabin, in order to conduct process air cooled by the process air cooling apparatus into the aircraft cabin, and a refrigerating apparatus, which comprises a refrigerant circuit adapted to be flown through with a refrigerant and being thermally coupled to the ambient air cooling apparatus and to the process air cooling apparatus, in order to transfer thermal energy from the ambient air cooling apparatus and the process air cooling apparatus to the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit. A bypass line branching off from the process air discharge line is configured to discharge the cooled process air flowing through the process air discharge line into an aircraft environment at least in certain operating phases of the aircraft air conditioning system. -
EP-A-1279594 discloses an air cycle cooling system for cooling a first heat load and a second heat load, includes a compressor to pressurise air in the system, and an expansion apparatus for allowing the compressed air to expand and cool for use in cooling the first and second heat loads, and wherein at least a proportion of the air utilised for cooling the first heat load is recycled to the compressor and at least a proportion of the air utilised for cooling the second heat load is utilised as a coolant in a primary heat exchanger to cool the air from the first heat load prior to the air from the first heat load being expanded in the expansion apparatus. -
WO-A-2016/170141 discloses an aircraft air conditioning system with an ambient air line which is adapted to be flown through with ambient air and which is connected to a mixer of the aircraft air conditioning system, in order to feed ambient air into the mixer, at least one ambient air compressor arranged in the ambient air line for compressing the ambient air flowing through the ambient air line, a refrigerating machine, which comprises a refrigerant circuit adapted to be flown through with a refrigerant as well as a refrigerant compressor arranged in the refrigerant circuit, wherein the refrigerant circuit is thermally coupled to the ambient air line in order to transfer heat from the ambient air flowing through the ambient air line to the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit before the ambient air is fed into the mixer, and at least one electric motor for driving the at least one ambient air compressor and/or the refrigerant compressor. -
US-A-4015438 discloses an air cycle air conditioning system for vehicles, wherein the air at substantially ambient pressure is cooled in a heat exchanger and introduced into an enclosure for cooling. The air is withdrawn from the enclosure and a portion of the air is expanded through a turbine for additional cooling and passed through the heat exchanger for the removal of heat therefrom. The air is then compressed to substantially ambient pressure and expelled. Additional cooling of the expanded air from the turbine may be obtained by evaporating a fluid therein. The fluid may be water condensed in, and withdrawn from, the heat exchanger. - The object of the present invention is to produce an aerial, land or marine vehicle that satisfies at least one of the aforementioned needs in a simple and inexpensive manner.
- The aforesaid object is achieved by the present invention, in so far as it relates to an aerial, land or marine vehicle, according to claim 1.
- The present invention also relates to a method of cooling a compartment of an aerial, land or marine vehicle, according to claim 7.
- For a better understanding of the present invention, one preferred embodiment is described hereinafter, by way of non-limitative example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 shows a front view of a vehicle, in particular a convertiplane produced according to a first embodiment of the present invention and comprising a cooling system; -
Figure 2 is a functional diagram of first details of the air conditioning system ofFigure 1 , with some parts not shown for the sake of clarity; -
Figure 3 is a functional diagram of second details of the air conditioning system ofFigures 1 and2 , with some parts not shown for the sake of clarity; and -
Figures 4 and5 show respective embodiments of some details of the system ofFigures 2 and3 . - Referring to
Figure 1 , reference numeral 1 indicates a vehicle. In this description, the term "vehicle" means any self-propelled vehicle, in particular a land, aerial or marine vehicle. - Preferably, the vehicle 1 is a pressurized aircraft, a convertiplane in the case shown.
- The convertiplane 1 basically comprises:
- a
fuselage 2 with a longitudinal axis of extension A; - a pair of half-wings 3 extending in a cantilever fashion from respective mutually opposite sides of the
fuselage 2 and transversally to axis A; and - a pair of
nacelles 4 housing associatedrotors 5. - The convertiplane 1 further comprises a
compartment 6 defining a cabin for a crew and/or a passenger compartment for passengers. - The convertiplane 1 further comprises an air conditioning system 10 (only schematically shown), which is adapted to adjust the temperature inside the
compartment 6, i.e. to maintain said temperature within a given range. - More specifically, the
system 10 comprises: - a "hot"
air supply unit 11, i.e. supplying air at a temperature higher than the temperature inside thecompartment 6; - a "cold"
air supply unit 12, i.e. supplying air at a temperature lower than the temperature inside thecompartment 6; and - a control unit 13 (only schematically shown) programmed to control the
units compartment 6. - In greater detail,
unit 11 is shown only as aduct 15 supplying hot air to thecompartment 6. - In some embodiments,
unit 12 could have some elements shared with or thermally coupled tounit 11. - Without any loss of generality,
unit 12 is described hereinafter without reference to any mechanical or thermal coupling tounit 11. -
Unit 12 comprises (Figure 2 ): - a
closed circuit 20 through which a coolant passes; and - an
air circulation circuit 50 fluidically connected to thecompartment 6. - In greater detail, the coolant performs a thermodynamic cycle, known as a vapour compression cycle, inside
circuit 20. - During this cycle, the coolant undergoes a liquid L to vapour V phase transition and vice versa.
- In the case shown, the coolant is one of the fluids commonly known as Freon, for example R134a, R1234YE or R1234YF, or carbon dioxide.
-
Circuit 20 comprises, in sequence: - a
compressor 21, which is driven by an electric motor and compresses the coolant in the vapour phase V; - a
condenser 22, which causes transition of the coolant from the vapour phase V to the liquid phase L; - a
thermal expansion valve 23, which causes transition of the coolant to a two-phase condition formed by a mixture L+V of liquid L and vapour V; and - an
evaporator 24, which causes transition of the coolant from the two-phase condition L+V to the vapour phase V. - In particular, the coolant absorbs heat from the outside, inside the
evaporator 24, and releases heat to the outside, insidecondenser 22. -
Circuit 50, in turn, comprises: - an
inlet 51 fluidically connected to thecompartment 6; - an
outlet 52 fluidically connected to thecompartment 6; and - a
fan 53 to create air circulation from theinlet 51 to theoutlet 52. -
Circuit 50 is thermally coupled to theevaporator 24 in a position interposed between theinlet 51 and theoutlet 52. - More specifically, the air flowing in
circuit 50 releases heat to theevaporator 24. - Therefore, the air flowing in
circuit 50 cools down, having a temperature at theoutlet 52 lower than the temperature at theinlet 51. -
Unit 12 comprises (Figure 2 ): - a
circuit 60, which can be fed with a flow of air and is thermally coupled to thecondenser 22; and - supply means 61 for supplying water inside the second flow in a position upstream of the
condenser 22 and spaced from saidcondenser 22, proceeding along the feed direction of the second flow alongcircuit 60, so as to cause evaporation of the water and cool the air within the flow flowing incircuit 60 in thecondenser 22. - More specifically, the water supplied in
circuit 60 evaporates, removing heat from the air flowing incircuit 60 upstream of thecondenser 22. The airflow is thus cooled and humidified. The lowering of the temperature of the airflow that laps thecondenser 22 lowers the temperature and the condensation pressure of the coolant. This enables increasing the amount of heat absorbed by thecondenser 22, and hence the efficiency of the vapour compression cycle. - This efficiency is further increased because the water droplets that remain in the liquid phase in the airflow lap the condenser, thereby increasing the coefficient of heat exchange between the airflow and the
condenser 22. - In fact, the high speed of the air induces a continuous regeneration of the fluid film on the surface of the
condenser 22, preventing the film from reaching thermal equilibrium with said surface and causing a further increase in the amount of heat absorbed by thecondenser 22. -
Unit 12 also comprises afan 62 interposed alongcircuit 60 and adapted to enable continuous air circulation insidecircuit 60. Referring toFigure 3 ,unit 12 further comprises acircuit 70 provided to feed the water to the supply means 61. - In greater detail,
circuit 70 comprises atank 71 arranged on board the convertiplane 1 and fluidically connected to the supply means 61. -
Circuit 70 is also fluidically connectable to atank 72 outside the convertiplane 1 and arranged on the ground. Obviously,circuit 70 is fluidically connected totank 72 only when the convertiplane 1 is on the ground. - Preferably,
circuit 70 is fluidically connected to a collection drum 73 (Figure 5 ) for the condensate water generated by theevaporator 24. - In a preferred embodiment, the amount of water made available by the
collection drum 73 forcircuit 70 is insufficient to permit a continuous lowering of the temperature of thecondenser 22 over time. Therefore,circuit 70 is simultaneously connected to one or both of thetanks collection drum 73. - Referring to
Figure 3 , the supply means 61 comprise a plurality ofinjectors 75, fed bycircuit 70 and facing intocircuit 60 upstream of saidcondenser 22, according to said feed direction, so as to eject jets of water into the airflow flowing incircuit 60. - Alternatively (
Figure 4 ), the supply means 61 comprise a plurality of sprayers 76, fed bycircuit 70 and facing intocircuit 60 upstream of saidcondenser 22, according to said feed direction, so as to eject water spray into the airflow flowing incircuit 60. - Alternatively, the supply means 61 comprise a plurality of gravity drippers 77, fed by
circuit 70 and facing intocircuit 60 upstream of saidcondenser 22, according to the aforementioned feed direction, so as to eject respective sequences of droplets into the airflow flowing incircuit 60. -
Circuit 60 further comprises amembrane 78 arranged upstream of thecondenser 22 and lapped by the airflow, and on which the sprayers 76 or drippers 77 respectively eject water spray or eject respective sequences of water droplets (Figure 4 ). - The
membrane 78 is humidified by the water injected intocircuit 70, thus ensuring that water can evaporate insidecircuit 70 upstream of thecondenser 22. -
Circuit 70 further comprises apump 74 adapted to feed water to the supply means 61 (Figure 5 ). - The
control unit 13 is programmed to selectively: - activate the supply means 61, when the environmental temperature outside the convertiplane 1 is higher than a given threshold value; or
- deactivate the supply means 61, when the environmental temperature outside the convertiplane 1 is lower than a given threshold value.
- The external environmental temperature is normally dependent on the latitude and altitude of the convertiplane 1.
- In use, the
system 10 adjusts the temperature inside thecompartment 6 by supplying "hot" air or "cold" air, according to the environmental conditions outside the convertiplane. - More specifically, the terms "hot" air and "cold" air respectively mean air at a temperature greater than or less than the temperature of the
compartment 6. - The functioning of the
system 10 is described hereinafter only in relation to the operation of thesupply unit 12 providing "cold air" inside thecompartment 6. - In greater detail, the
fan 53 ofcircuit 50 creates the continuous circulation of air from theinlet 51 to theoutlet 52, passing through theevaporator 24 ofcircuit 20 and thecompartment 6 of the convertiplane. - The coolant follows a vapour compression cycle inside
circuit 20, during which it undergoes the following thermodynamic transformations: - compression in the vapour phase V inside the
compressor 21; - undergoing a transition from the vapour phase V to the liquid phase L inside the
condenser 22; - being thermally expanded, such as to undergo transition to a two-phase condition L+V in which it is a mixture of liquid L and vapour V; and
- evaporation, undergoing a transition from the two-phase condition L+V to the vapour phase V.
- In greater detail, the coolant releases heat in the
condenser 22 and absorbs heat from the air circulating incircuit 50 in theevaporator 24. - This absorption of heat causes the air circulating in
circuit 50 to cool down and the consequent supply of "cold" air at theoutlet 52 and to thecompartment 6. -
Circuit 20 causes air circulation through thecondenser 22. - When the outside temperature is higher than a threshold value, for example because the convertiplane 1 is below an altitude threshold or is stationary on the ground in a desert area, the
control unit 13 activates the supply means 61. - As a result, the supply means 61 supply water inside the airflow flowing in
circuit 60 upstream of thecondenser 22 and in a position spaced from thecondenser 22. - This causes at least the partial evaporation of the water introduced by the supply means 61, with removal of heat from the airflow flowing in
circuit 60 and consequent cooling and humidification of said airflow. - The lowering of the temperature of the airflow that laps the
condenser 22 enables increasing the amount of heat absorbed by thecondenser 22, and consequently the efficiency of the vapour compression cycle. - The water droplets that remain in the liquid phase in the airflow lap the
condenser 22, increasing the coefficient of heat exchange between thecondenser 22 and airflow. In this way, the amount of heat absorbed by thecondenser 22 is further increased, thereby causing a further increase in the efficiency of the vapour compression cycle. -
Circuit 60 feeds the supply means 61 with water through thetank 71 on board the convertiplane 1 when the latter is in flight, or throughtank 72, positioned on the ground, when the convertiplane 1 is on the ground. It is also possible to feed the supply means 61 through bothtank 71 andtank 72 when the convertiplane 1 is on the ground. -
Circuit 60 also feeds the supply means 61 with condensate water collected from theevaporator 24 ofcircuit 20. It is important to stress that feeding the supply means 61 with the condensate water collected from theevaporator 24 is in addition to and does not replace feeding with the water contained intanks 70 and/or 71. - With particular reference to
Figure 3 , theinjectors 75 of the supply means 61 eject jets of water inside the airflow flowing incircuit 60. - Alternatively (
Figure 4 ), the sprayers 76 of the supply means 61 eject water spray on themembrane 78 through which the airflow flowing in thecircuit 60 passes. - Alternatively (
Figure 4 ), the drippers 77 of the supply means 61 drip respective sequences of droplets by gravity onto themembrane 78 through which the airflow flowing incircuit 60 passes. - When the outside temperature is below the threshold value, for example because the convertiplane 1 is above a certain altitude threshold, the
control unit 13 deactivates the supply means 61. From an examination of the characteristics of the aircraft 1 and the cooling method of the aircraft 1 produced according to the present invention, the advantages that can be attained therewith are evident. - In particular, the convertiplane 1 comprises:
- a
circuit 60, which can be fed with a flow of air and is thermally coupled to saidcondenser 22; and - supply means 61 for supplying water inside said flow in a position upstream of the
condenser 22 and spaced from thecondenser 22, proceeding along the feed direction of the flow alongcircuit 60. - In this way, the water evaporates, removing an amount of heat substantially corresponding to the latent heat of vaporization and the airflow flowing in
circuit 60 cools down. This lowering of temperature reduces the temperature and the condensation pressure of thecondenser 22. - The increase in temperature difference between the coolant inside the
condenser 22 and the airflow increases the heat released by the coolant inside thecondenser 22 and, consequently, increases the efficiency of the vapour compression cycle in the case of system 10 (Figure 2 ). - Due to the fact that water is supplied upstream of the
condenser 22, inside the airflow and not directly on thecondenser 22 as described inUS 5,149,147 andUS 6,643,751 , it is possible to achieve the aforementioned increase in energy efficiency without increasing the weight and bulk of thecondenser 22 installed on a vehicle such as the convertiplane 1. - In fact, for obvious reasons of weight and space saving, the heat exchange surface of the
condenser 22 installed on the convertiplane 1 is normally much smaller than that of condensers used in the domestic air conditioners illustrated inUS 5,149,147 andUS 6,643,751 . This smaller surface would reduce the amount of heat exchanged in thecondenser 22 and must be compensated by a high airflow speed incircuit 60 in order to increase the coefficient of heat exchange between the airflow and thecondenser 22. - According to the teachings of
US 5,149,147 andUS 6,643,751 , this high speed would remove the water droplets deposited directly by the condenser, before they could evaporate. - In other words, the supply of water inside
circuit 60 and upstream of thecondenser 22 enables reducing the condensation temperature of the coolant in thecondenser 22 and, therefore, increasing the energy efficiency of the cycle followed by said coolant, reducing the bulk and weight of thecondenser 22. - This results in evident advantages in any moving vehicle application, and even more so for the convertiplane 1. In fact, for an aircraft, any reduction in weight is the equivalent to an increase in payload and/or drop in fuel consumption.
- With particular reference to aircrafts and the convertiplane 1, this increase in efficiency also enables maintaining the desired temperature level in compartment, even when the outside temperature is particularly high, in the event of temperature peaks and in flight envelope extremes.
- It is thus possible to ensure that the convertiplane 1 exceeds the certification requirements throughout the entire range of outside environment temperatures required by regulations.
- The
tank 71 arranged on board the convertiplane 1 enables feeding the supply means 61 with water when the convertiplane 1 is in flight. Contrariwise,tank 72 enables feeding the supply means 61 with water when the convertiplane 1 is on the ground and the outside temperature is particularly high. The condensate water collected from theevaporator 24 constitutes an additional feed source for the supply means 61. - The
control unit 13 activates the supply means 61 when the temperature outside the convertiplane 1 is below the threshold value, for example, because the convertiplane 1 is above a certain altitude threshold. - Contrariwise, the
control unit 13 deactivates the supply means 61 when the outside temperature is higher than the threshold value, for example, because the convertiplane 1 is below a certain altitude threshold. - In this way, it is possible to size the
condenser 22 with a small surface, yet sufficient to ensure cooling of the air to be conveyed to thecompartment 6 when the outside temperature is below the threshold value, and selectively activate the supply means 61 when the environmental temperature outside the convertiplane 1 is below the threshold value. - The water droplets that remain in the liquid phase in the airflow lap the
condenser 22. This causes a further increase in coefficient of heat exchange between thecondenser 22 and the airflow, a further increase in the amount of heat absorbed by thecondenser 22 and a further increase in the efficiency of the vapour compression cycle. - In fact, the high speed of the air induces continuous regeneration of the fluid film on the surface of the
condenser 22, preventing the film from reaching thermal equilibrium with said surface and causing a further increase in the amount of heat absorbed by thecondenser 22. - The
membrane 78, by being humidified, further improves the heat exchange between the airflow ofcircuit 60 and thecondenser 22. - Lastly, the
circuit 60 and the supply means 61 can be easily retrofitted on a convertiplane 1 without requiring a substantial redesign of thesystem 10. - Finally, it is clear that modifications and variants can be made with regard to the claimed aircraft 1 and the cooling method of the aircraft 1 without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- The aircraft could also be an aeroplane or a gyrodyne.
Claims (10)
- An aerial, marine or land vehicle (1), comprising:- a compartment (6) to be cooled; and- a first circuit (20) through which a coolant can pass;said first circuit (20), in turn, comprising:- a heat exchanger (22), which can be fed with said coolant and is adapted to enable said coolant to release heat;- a second circuit (60), which can be fed with a second flow of a heat-carrying fluid and is thermally coupled to said heat exchanger (22); and- supply means (61) for supplying water inside said second flow in a position upstream of said heat exchanger (22) and spaced from said heat exchanger (22), proceeding along the feed direction of said second flow along said second circuit (60), so as to cause evaporation of said water and cool said second flow in said heat exchanger (22);said first circuit (20) being closed, and the coolant being capable of changing phase passing through it;
said coolant performing, in use, a thermodynamic vapour compression cycle inside said first circuit (20);
said first circuit (20) comprising, in sequence:- compressor means (21), which can be fed with said coolant in the vapour phase (V) and can be activated to raise the pressure of said coolant in the vapour phase (V);- a condenser (22) defining said heat exchanger (22), arranged downstream of said compressor means (21), with reference to the feed direction of said coolant in said first circuit (20), and which can be fed with said coolant in the vapour phase (V) and is adapted to cause the transition of said coolant from the vapour phase (V) to the liquid phase (L);- thermal expansion means (23) arranged downstream of said condenser (22) with reference to said feed direction, which can be fed with said coolant in the liquid phase (L) and are adapted to cause the transition of said coolant to a two-phase condition (L+V) formed by a mixture of a liquid phase (L) and a vapour phase (V); and- an evaporator (24) arranged downstream of said thermal expansion means (23) and upstream of said compressor means (21), with reference to said feed direction, and adapted to cause the transition of said coolant from said two-phase condition (L+V) to the vapour phase (V);said vehicle (1) further comprising:- a third circuit (70) adapted to feed said water to said supply means (61); and- a fourth circuit (50), which can be fluidically connected to said compartment (6);said fourth circuit (50) comprising:- an inlet (51), which can be fluidically connected to said compartment (6) and which can be fed with a first flow of air to be cooled; and- an outlet (52) which can be fluidically connected to said compartment (6) and through which the cooled said first flow of air can pass;said evaporator (24) being interposed along said fourth circuit (50) between said inlet (51) and said outlet (52), and being thermally coupled to said fourth circuit (50) so as to cool said first flow of air;
characterized in that the vehicle further comprises a first tank (71) of said water fluidically connected to said third circuit (70); and, optionally, said third circuit (70) being fluidically connectable to a second tank (72) arranged outside said vehicle (1) for supplying said water to said supply means (61). - The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said supply means (61) comprise a plurality of injectors (75) fluidically connected to said third circuit (70) and facing into said second circuit (60) upstream of said heat exchanger (22), according to said feed direction.
- The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said supply means (61) comprise spraying means (76) or dripping means (77) of a sequence of droplets of said water.
- The vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that said second circuit (60) comprises a membrane (78) facing inside the second circuit (60) upstream of said heat exchanger (22), according to said feed direction;
said supply means (61) being configured to supply a sequence of water droplets on said membrane (78). - The vehicle according to claim any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that said third circuit (70) is fluidically connected to said evaporator (24) and can be fed with condensate water from the evaporator (24).
- The vehicle according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it is an aircraft (1), and in that said supply means (61) can be selectively activated or deactivated, according to the temperature outside said aircraft (1);
said supply means (61) being selectively activated when said temperature is higher than a predetermined threshold value and selectively deactivated when said temperature is lower than a predetermined threshold value. - A method of cooling a compartment (6) of an aerial, marine or land vehicle (1), comprising the steps of:i) feeding a coolant along a first circuit (20);
said step i) comprising the step ii) of absorbing heat from said coolant in a heat exchanger (22);iii) lapping said heat exchanger (22) with a second flow of a heat-carrying fluid;iv) supplying, through supply means (61), a mixture containing water inside said second flow in a position upstream of said heat exchanger (22) and spaced from said heat exchanger (22), proceeding along the feed direction of said second flow;v) evaporating at least part of the water duringsaid step iv), so as to cool said second flow in said heat exchanger (22);
said first circuit (20) being closed and passed through by a coolant capable of changing phase passing through it;
said coolant performing a thermodynamic vapour compression cycle inside said first circuit (20);
said step i) comprising the steps of:vi) fluidically connecting a second circuit (50) to said compartment (6);vii) raising the pressure of said coolant in the vapour phase (V);viii) condensing said coolant from said vapour phase (V) to a liquid phase (L), inside a condenser (22) defining said heat exchanger (22);ix) thermally expanding said coolant in the liquid phase so as to cause the transition of said coolant to a two-phase condition (L+V) formed by a mixture of liquid (L) and vapour (V); andx) evaporating said coolant in an evaporator (24), so as to cause the transition of said two-phase condition (L+V) to the vapour phase (V);said step vi) comprising the steps of:xi) creating circulation of a first airflow to be cooled from said compartment (6) through said evaporator (24), so as to release heat to said coolant inside said evaporator (24) and cool the first airflow; andxii) feeding the cooled said first airflow from said evaporator (24) to said compartment (6), to cool the latter;characterized in that said step iv) comprises the step xiii) of fluidically connecting a first tank (71) of said water arranged on board said vehicle (1) to said supply means (61); and/or
characterized in that said step iv) comprises the step xiv) of fluidically connecting a second tank (72) of said water arranged outside said vehicle (1) to said supply means (61). - The method according to claim 7, characterized in that step iv) comprises the step xv) of spraying or dripping droplets of said water inside said second flow; and/or characterized in that said step iv) comprises the step xvi) of injecting a plurality of jets of said water inside said second flow.
- The method according to claim 8, characterized in that step iv) comprises the step xvii) of collecting the condensate water of said evaporator (24) and making it available to said supply means (61).
- The method according to any one of the claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:xviii) selectively activating said supply means (61), when the temperature outside said vehicle (1) is higher than a predetermined threshold value; andxix) selectively deactivating said supply means (61), when the outside temperature outside said vehicle (1) is lower than a predetermined threshold value;and/or characterized in that it comprises the further step xx) of lapping said heat exchanger (22) with unevaporated water droplets of said water entrained by said second flow.
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP18209443.3A EP3659921B1 (en) | 2018-11-30 | 2018-11-30 | Vehicle and method of cooling a compartment of said vehicle |
US17/295,967 US20220009641A1 (en) | 2018-11-30 | 2019-10-31 | Vehicle and method of cooling a compartment of said vehicle |
PCT/IB2019/059363 WO2020109889A1 (en) | 2018-11-30 | 2019-10-31 | Vehicle and method of cooling a compartment of said vehicle |
KR1020217018633A KR20210118387A (en) | 2018-11-30 | 2019-10-31 | A vehicle and a method of cooling a compartment of the vehicle |
CN201980078880.5A CN113165748B (en) | 2018-11-30 | 2019-10-31 | Transport means and method for cooling compartments of such transport means |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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EP18209443.3A EP3659921B1 (en) | 2018-11-30 | 2018-11-30 | Vehicle and method of cooling a compartment of said vehicle |
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EP3659921A1 EP3659921A1 (en) | 2020-06-03 |
EP3659921B1 true EP3659921B1 (en) | 2020-11-18 |
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EP18209443.3A Active EP3659921B1 (en) | 2018-11-30 | 2018-11-30 | Vehicle and method of cooling a compartment of said vehicle |
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US (1) | US20220009641A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3659921B1 (en) |
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2018
- 2018-11-30 EP EP18209443.3A patent/EP3659921B1/en active Active
-
2019
- 2019-10-31 CN CN201980078880.5A patent/CN113165748B/en active Active
- 2019-10-31 US US17/295,967 patent/US20220009641A1/en active Pending
- 2019-10-31 KR KR1020217018633A patent/KR20210118387A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2019-10-31 WO PCT/IB2019/059363 patent/WO2020109889A1/en active Application Filing
Non-Patent Citations (1)
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3659921A1 (en) | 2020-06-03 |
CN113165748B (en) | 2024-03-01 |
US20220009641A1 (en) | 2022-01-13 |
WO2020109889A1 (en) | 2020-06-04 |
CN113165748A (en) | 2021-07-23 |
KR20210118387A (en) | 2021-09-30 |
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